Flexed Muscle: Ford Adds Oomph, Sleekness to its Maxiwagon

The latest version of Ford's Flex crossover, which can be thought of as a Taurus Country Squire sans wood siding (it's available in the aftermarket), broke cover at last year's Los Angeles auto show, boasting a revamped base 3.5-liter V-6, better brakes, a slightly sleeker nose, and a host of new safety gear. We've just driven the 2013 Flex, but before we get to those impressions we'll save you clicking back and recap the revisions.

In the engine room, electric power steering assist becomes standard and variable valve timing proliferates from the intake to all four cams. Together, the steering and cam-twiddling improve efficiency enough to boost output by 23 horses and 7 lb-ft, while fuel economy improves by an estimated 1 mpg city and highway to 18/25 mpg with front-drive and 17/24 on all-wheelers. On the safety front, Ford adds all of the crash prevention and mitigation gear that debuted on Flex's platform-mates: adaptive cruise control with forward collision alert and blind-spot monitoring from the Taurus, and the inflatable seat belts and Curve Control from the Explorer. Push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, power tilt/telescoping steering, power folding mirrors, and the new and much improved MyFord Touch are also added to the options list.

Stylewise, the prominent grille bar now extends into the headlamps and has been stripped of its big Ford oval, replaced by letters spelling F L E X in a font so bold you half-expect them to be reversed, AMBULANCE-style, for legibility in rearview mirrors. From the rear, you'll see dual exhaust outlets on all models and you'll notice that the blue oval has been similarly demoted from a large central badge to a smaller one in the lower right corner. There are six new wheel designs as well. Inside, the seat trim, steering wheel, and instrumentation are all upgraded for added poshness.

The engineers also launched a mission to hush the Flex, wrapping the shock towers and rear wheelhouses with sound absorbers and improving the hood insulator and firewall insulation. They've also added a few tasks to the anti-lock braking system's to-do list, including Curve Control (which senses when a driver has entered a turn too fast and sheds up to 10 mph so the car stays on course), and a rudimentary torque-vectoring system that lightly brakes an inside wheel when accelerating through a turn to route more torque outboard. For the record, Motor Trend is generally opposed to using the brakes to make the car go faster. Since they're doing more work, the brakes get a larger master cylinder, retuned booster, larger vented rotors all around from the Taurus SHO (except with the base 17-inch wheels), and upgraded friction materials.

How does it all work? The added power and broader torque curve are readily noticeable on the base V-6, which steps off with greater authority, though we wish the shifts happened quicker and with less torque sag. The new brakes feel great -- nice firm pedal, minimal travel, easily modulated for smooth stops. And try as I could, I found no fault with the electric power steering. Its weighting felt natural; the quicker ratio is welcome; and with most of the rubber isolation out of the system, the driver can sense road-surface texture through the rim, but not changes in road-surface grip. Interior noise levels are remarkably low, allowing front-seat conversation to be easily heard from the third row. EcoBoost models dial all of the above impressions up several notches, with truly naughty acceleration rates and slightly crisper steering feel.

Flex sales may not be setting any records, but the car is luring more buyers into the Ford brand than any other model, and each one appeals to its owner to such an extent that the Flex boasts the highest retention rate in the Ford family. With prices rising only $745-$1420 depending on model variant (the Titanium version has been eighty-sixed), these mid-cycle spiffs certainly stand to make those repeat buyers even happier.

I like the idea of a large wagon. I wish there were more of these. For example the subaru outback sells well and is more wagon than SUV. I could see myself buying a Ford Flex, but alas, these are my five gripes. Ford, fix these and I'll be a buyer.

First is this car is overpriced. The base trim MSRP should be lowered by $3K, and the limited trim's MSRP should be lowered by about $5K.

Second is the weight. They need to trim it by about 500 lbs. That would increase driving dynamics and gas mileage.

Third is the base engine doesn't have direct injection. I can't afford the twin turbo one, but if they just added direct injection to the base V6, hp would probably be over 300. This plus #2 above (less weight) would make a world of difference in how this car drives.

Fourth is the MyFord Touch. Make it an option.

Fifth is reliability. When will the American brands ever be as reliable as the Japanese/Koreans? This gap has been existed for decades and there's no excuse for it (at this point).

I have a 2010 SEL AWD and love it. It does everything well. I am seriously considering upgrading to a 2013 with Ecoboost. Lots of people like the Explorer styling, but you can't get the 3.5 E-boost in an Explorer.That steering wheel looks the same as my wifes MKX, does anyone know if the heated steering wheel option will be offered in the Flex like her Lincoln has?

Fried Rice, my slightly modified 2.3 liter 4 cylinder (with a modern version of the 2.3 liter lump under the hood of millions of lame '70's Pintos, Mustang and Capri II's), Ranger hasn't "blown up" with 220,000 miles on the clock, and is still happy to show its' stylish stainless tailgate insert (almost identical to the one on Flex's) to ANY brand's anything close to stock 4 cylinder pick up. As far as slow, I don't see how a 365 horsepower Flex that will smoke ANY vehicle in the category in acceleration qualifies as slow, but, hey, it's your post. Finally, if you would honestly buy ANY current Mitsubishi product with the very real threat of their insolvency looming, you simply can't know much about cars !!

As the proud owner of a 2009 Flex Limited, I can happily say you guys are missing out. Having 4 kids and coming from an 02 Expedition, there was almost no difference in room. We actually gained some room behind the 2nd and 3rd row. The comfort level is outstanding. Gas mileage is better as well.As for the complaints I have read, not sure they are warranted. I would like quicker shifts as well but the transmission is fine. Also the brakes are great. The base v6 has no low rpm grunt but it has good overall power when we need it.Looking at the 2013 Flex, I can't wait for it to come out and for me to be able to afford it. I love the styling of the 09 but love the 13 styling even more. Ford is missing out on great sales because they have not marketed this vehicle properly. One of the things that drew my wife and I to the Flex was that it was a mini-van that wasn't a mini-van. When we drove it we fell in love with the comfort and how if drove.If u don't want a minivan, drive a FLEX!

@Fried_Rice Hey lets throw out car acronyms together. It's so Fun!!Honda = How Odd-No Damn Acceleration and Had One Never Did Again.Nissan = Now In Some Sh*tty Automobile NightmareToyota = The One You Ought To Avoid.My 2007 Ford Fusion has 121,000 miles on it and I have not had any service on it other than regular maintenance. I guess that "Ford acronym" doesn't apply to my car. :)Edit - Also whoever came up with or uses "Fix Or Repair Daily" as a acronym must be mentally challenged. Fix and Repair essentially mean the same thing so what it translates into is "Repair Or Repair Daily" or "Fix Or Fix Daily".

"Sleekness" ?? If I added a cap on my boxy old Ranger, it would have the exact same "two box" outline as the Flex (and it already has the exact same stainless tailgate insert as the Flex) !! I kind of like the Flex (especially the thought of a EcoBoost V6 equipped one), even the somewhat strange looking midcycle refresh is growing on me, but "sleek" it isn't !!

@Fried_RiceThat comment does not even deserve a response..As an owner of a 2001 Mercury Sable with nearly 200K miles on the clock, which has served and continues to serve me faithfully, while driving me around over 100 miles every day, I would say otherwise.

Never will I ever buy anything from Ford. All they make are cheaply made, unreliable, slow cars that only old people and rednecks drive. They may look nice but they blow up after 20k miles on the clock. I would much rather buy a Mitsubishi Endeavor, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathefinder, Hyundai Verzcruz, or Toyota Highlander.Fix OrRepairDaily:)

This is a useful, versatile vehicle for a family. I think it's an excellent size---falling between the small wagons we often see today and the large U.S. wagons of the past. It does have good interior space I found, and its exterior dimensions allow it to easily fit in the garage---something the large wagons of the past had a hard time doing. Good job, Ford.

That's funny how some of you are trying to hate but read your comment again and see how you sound like...lmfao!! It looks like a Hearst!!! Don't some people customize Hearst to the coolest level?? Nice try suckers!!!

WTF? That is the most ugliest thing I have EVER seen. The interior is so damn nice though. I really don't care for Ford's, but I have to admit that the interiors of the Fusion, the Flex and especially the Explorer are absolutely beautiful. The next generation of the Fusion has an absolutely stunning interior.

woolsocks, it call comes down to the laws of physics. You can't move something without a force, and you can't get a force for free. Considering the Flex weighs 300lb more, is taller, and still manages to get one mpg more than the previous cars, is progress. It's not so impressive, but there is no such thing as a 7-seat SUV that gets more than 25mpg.Also, talk to anybody who owns a Roadmaster wagon, and ask if their LT1 can really get 24mpg. My '95 Buick with the supercharged 3800 V6 was rated at 17/25, but I got 12/20 on average.

I like the Ford Flex a lot--it may be my favorite Ford right now. However, there is something that I just noticed that's kind of interesting. Remember those giant body-on-frame RWD V-8 station wagons that Ford and GM used to make? The ones with rear-facing rear seats? Well, the last of that breed was the 1996 Chevy Caprice Wagon and Buick Roadmaster. They both came with a 5.7L 260 hp 330 ft-lb V-8, and weighted roughly 4200 lbs. And they got 15/24 City/Highway according to fueleconomy dot gov. Compare that to the 4500 lb FWD 3.5L 285 hp 253 ft-lb 2013 Ford Flex, which gets 18/25 city/highway mpg. Why do I get the feeling that "FWD gets better fuel economy than RWD" is a myth? And also the feeling that "Lower displacement and fewer cylinders gets better fuel economy" is also a myth, or at least not the entire story?

@redvette77Yeah, I agree; I see these things all the time, and I go back and forth between rural and downtown Kansas City (a really big city, if you didn't know) every day. As for the Genesis, I haven't seen one either; I've seen more Nissan Jukes than the Genesis. And were not a "Ford town", or something like that. If anything, we actually buy more Toyotas. It really depends on where you live.

@skyguyIt all depends on where you live really. If you live in a rural area, such as myself, you cannot really judge the sales of a vehicle based upon what you see. In terms of the Flex, I have seen many as there are many local owners. Even when I go to other towns and places, I still see many. However, when you consider other successful sellers, such as the Hyundai Genesis, I have only seen one of those in my town since their introduction.

@ insidertrading- The Flex is too heavy for the Eco 4 banger and being in boost all the time counters and EPA ratings eith real world fuel economy. The Eco Boost 3.5 gets better MPG than the regular 3.5, and 25 hwy is still better than a Durango or comparable to explorer. It's betetr than most luxary mommy mobiles.

RAM150005, Are you a Dodge fan or just a Ram fan? If you are a Dodge fan and criticizing Ford for having one box shaped vehicle you need to take a look at not only Dodge but Chrysler's entire lineup. Almost everything they sell is a box.

We rented a 2011 Flex back in May of 2011. It was the Limited AWD with Ecoboost. The thing came with every option. We had it for a week. It carried 6 adults in comfort, hauled our luggage, and was a joy to drive. The fit and finish was outstanding, MyFordTouch worked flawlessy, the parking assist was great in the big city and it's fuel economy was better than our 2002 Windstar had ever hoped to reach. Its handling was very responsive and you had to always remember you were driving an SUV and not a mid size sedan - that is how nimble it felt. On the final day of the rental, the icing on the cake happened. I was with one of my sons (18 yr old) and we went to refuel the unit before we returned it. On the way from the cabin to the fuel station, we encountered a 2010 Challenger RT at a stop light. It didn't take much to convince him into a contest, as there was about 5 miles of open freeway in front of us. The Flex got the holeshot and kept expanding the lead well past normal freeway speeds....